Stout-Henrichs Chiropractic welcomes new doctor

Sara Riekenberg was born and raised in Dodge City. When she was growing up she played a lot of sports, and when she got injured, she went to see Dr. Henrichs. But she never thought she'd be joining his practice someday.

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By Julia Kazar

Dodge City Daily Globe - Dodge City, KS

By Julia Kazar

Posted Feb. 5, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By Julia Kazar

Posted Feb. 5, 2013 at 6:00 AM

DODGE CITY

Sara Riekenberg was born and raised in Dodge City. When she was growing up she played a lot of sports, and when she got injured, she went to see Dr. Henrichs. But she never thought she'd be joining his practice someday.

"I came home from school one summer, and he asked me to help him out," Riekenberg remembers, "I was a little unsure. As a business major, I didn't think I knew anything about helping a chiropractor, but I decided to help him anyway. I thought it was so cool, I went back to school and asked how to change my major right away."

Once her major was changed, Riekenberg spent the next four years studying Kinesiology at Kansas State University. After she graduated, she attended Logan College of Chiropractic, in Chesterfield, MO.

What most interested her about becoming a chiropractor was the idea that she could help people feel better without the use of drugs or surgery, she said. Instead she could help her patients with more natural remedies.

"Logan is well-known as one of the top schools for chiropractic studies," Riekenberg said.

She attended Logan for 10 trimesters, or about three and a half years, and earned her doctor of chiropractic degree, as well as a bachelor's degree in life science. She also met her future husband, who just happens to practice at Stout-Henrichs as well.

"When Shaunnon (Flickinger) and I met he was two years ahead of me in school, so we had to decide what we were going to do pretty quickly," Riekenberg explained. "He decided to move to Dodge for me."

Growing up Riekenberg always thought she'd like to live in the mountains, but she's glad to have decided to stay in Dodge.

"It's really a blessing the way things worked out," she said. "I have my family here, and we're all really close, and a brand new niece who I love spending time with, so I'm glad it worked this way."

Riekenberg is excited about getting to work in the same office as her fiancé everyday. She said she's talked to several husband and wife chiropractors and they all have good things to say. The support is what she's really looking forward to.

Riekenberg will see patients for any reason, but she has a special interest in women and children's issues. She also uses "low-force" techniques, which children especially appreciate.

"A lot of people think when you go to a chiropractor they crack your bones," said Riekenberg, "it doesn't have to be that way. There are several new techniques out there that I'm really interested in using low-force, so there isn't as much discomfort and pain."

She also believes that you shouldn't wait until there's a problem to go see a chiropractor.

Page 2 of 2 - "If you keep your muscles healthy, then as you age you won't have back pain or joint pain," she said.

In addition to spinal adjustments, Riekenberg also does acupuncture, is a firm believer in kinesio tape, that brightly colored tape many athletes were wearing during the Olympics last summer, and AdvoCare, a line of wellness supplements.

"I believe in a healthy lifestyle all around," Riekenberg, "And my family does too. My parents visit a chiropractor once a month, for a 'tune up' as they say, to help their joints. We try and stay active as much as possible, drink plenty of water and just live well."

Although Riekenberg hasn't begun seeing patients just yet, she hopes to begin sometime next week.

"I'm still filling out paperwork right now," she said. "But I am accepting new patients for when I can begin practicing.

To schedule an appointment with Riekenberg, call (620) 227-7082.

In her spare time, Riekenberg is planning her upcoming wedding with Flickinger, enjoys several outdoor activities and reading. She is planning on taking some Spanish classes at the college.